Bestro

Raw vegan restaurants may be nothing new in some parts of the world, but in Dubai they’re still relatively rare. However, Hayley Mac and Riath Hamed were on a mission to change all that when they launched the pop-up café Bestro in a corner of Lafayette Gourmet.

It’s a pretty unassuming place – the small, characterless seating area sits next to a tiny shop where you can stock up on items like chia seeds and nut milk muslins – and the carefully crafted menu features around ten plates with vague descriptions. But don’t let that put you off, as each dish is incredibly flavourful and would easily leave even the hardiest of meat eaters believing it’s more than just ‘rabbit food’.

The ‘lasagne’ is a particular favourite; raw strips of courgette are sandwiched with a creamy tahini dressing and topped with a tart, complex tomato sauce, fresh cherry tomatoes and basil leaves. Meanwhile, a wrap made out of onions is stuffed with julienned vegetables and more unbelievably tasty sauces (playing well with the balance of sweet, sour, citrus and umami).

What’s hard to believe is that anything this good can be this healthy. Plus, it’s all reasonably priced and served with a smile. Worth checking out.

The bottom lineThis is the kind of place that helps you stick to those new year’s resolutions – the perfect venue for people seeking healthy cuisine without sacrificing flavour.
Bestro